The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-06-14
NINA VAN ZANDT DYING.
THE PROXY BRIDE OF AUGUST
SPIES IN ILL HEALTH.

That She Will Not Live to Hear the
Final Decision on the Anarchists
Appeal.
A Chicago letter to the New York Star
Ays: August Spies proxy maiden wife, Nina
Van Zandt. is failing rapidly in health and it
isnot likely that she viii live even to learn the
decision of the Supreme Court with refer
snce to her loved ones fate.
A few weeks ago, as was riding out in a
Milwaukee avenue street car, / noticed
lady deeply yelled sat opposite me. There
was a wan look and an expression of mex
pressible sadness about the face thattouched
me. and became more and more convinced
that had somewhere known her. The deep
yelling, however, prevented immediate rec
ignition, and l rode several blocks
before l summoned courage to speak.
Crossing to the other side of the car,
as a burly fellow went out, leaving vacant
the seat beside her, l sat down by her side.
She started at the first word of recognition
from me, and said: "You must be mistaken,
sir. do not think we ever met before"
and then raising her veil, she added: ooh,
it is you, is it, thought it was some one
who knew me from that" and she pointed
to large placard picture of herself, swing
ing in the centre of the car, advising all to
60 at once to Blanks Dime Museum; wax
figure of Nina Van Zandt on exhibition for
a limited time only"
''Never mind, I" replied, mo one would
recognize you now from that picture"
Isn't it an outrage" she said after mo-
ment's pause, ito have ones name and por-
trait thus blazoned upon every thorough
fare. and wax figure caricature in a mu-
scum! And yet the court has decided that
neither my name nor my picture Is part
of me, and anybody can take them up and
use them. ! ~ thought surely that the
court would sustain the injunction against
the wax figure. No wonder that large
classes of men are losing respect for law. |
believe the laws however, are good enough
some of them-if the Judges were as good
or as just as the laws Have you any good
news for meYn she added. "You were at
Ottawa when the case was argued before
the Supreme Court? Did the Judges look
like they were favorable to our sidel wish
/ could have seen them. If could only
have watched their expression as Mr.. SWEET
and Capt Black were pleading, / could have
OWNED the outcome. Don't you know any
thing good to tell me about it!"
have known Miss Van Zandt for some
time, long before she made the foolish mis-
take of marrying by proxy man whose
liberty had been curtailed by legal proce-
aure. / had known her when her cheeks
were full and rosy red, when her eyes
sparkled with the fund of mirth, wit, in
telligence, energy and will of the brain be-
hind them. | had known her when she was
at least one-third heavier than now. l had
known her when there was no sadness in the
expression of face as beautiful, as intelli-
gent, as sweet as one would wish to look
upon We had been friends, are friends,
both before and since her sad infatuation
and sadder mistake. / looked upon the
beautiful face of my friend, made even more
beautiful by its sadness, until | could not
bear to look longer. No, | had no good
news to tell her, unless it might be good to
tell her that she was dying.
II know nothing more than you have
read in the papers" replied. "Oh! she
said, II never read the papers. WhY,.--,
YOU know would be a maniac in a month
if read the awful things they say about
me. Did the attorneys make good argu-
ments at Ottawa p
Yes" | replied. "They did, Both sides
made excellent speeches. But you have
never seen the supreme judges upon the
bench or YOU would not expect me to de-
scribe any changes of countenance. Their
countenances never change. They sit there
like seven solemn owls, except that an owl
sometimes winks or rolls its eyes, The ideal
judge is as motionless as the exhumed num-
mics of Ramses ii or Seth l"
sWhere are you going out this way!" l
asked
81 am going to call on Mr. Spies sister ;
she lives on the avenue, and come out here
every day or two for some one TO talk to. |
get afraid of myself when alone"
You are looking much thinner land
had almost said older than you did few
weeks ago"
''Oh, this worry is killing me. Not only
the anxiety about the outcome of the case,
but the intolerable throngs of callers, Gu
rious only to see me, and the army of beg
CARS who have read that | was rich; and
then the letters, bushels of them, from every
conceivable sort of people, some of them
threatening my life, and some asking for
money; many abusing me, and no end to
the marriage proposals from unknown yaga-
bonds who say they are much better than
any Anarchist; that Mr.. Spies will be
hanged anyhow and had better conclude
to accept their offer. A great many include
photos, so that can see how good-loolzing
they are Oh, did not know the world
was so full of silly fools as it seems to be.
II am nervous, sleepleSs and nearly wor-
ried to death. The injunction suit cost me
great deal of money, and my income has
been shut off on every hand. l have nothing
now but the income on my book on the life
Of Mr.. Spies, and the attacks of the press
nave made its sales very slow. | have not
spoken to mother or father for months
that ! should not be allowed to see Mr.. Spies
even through iron bars"
Here she broke down and tears were visi-
bic in her eyes as we came to the street
where Miss Spies lived. got off the car
and walked with Miss Van Zandt to the gate
Of her friends house, where we parted, with
promise that would call at her office at
an early date.
Meantime ! made an afternoon call upon
her mother, Mrs Van Zandt. / was tishered
into parlor furnished with all that wealth
nnd taste could afford. Mrs. Van Zandt
came in weeping. II was trying to forget, y
she said, "when the servant brought your
card and. while l wanted ever 50 much to
BEE you, your name brought back all the
past TO me. O, Mr.. -, our home is ruined
tts light is gone. My only child-my
daughter-my Ninam
l said: II thought you and Mr.. Van
Zandt had consented to the marriage.
was not aware of any discord between Nina
and yourself
t'We did consent to the marriage at first
then the Sheriff prohibited it, and Nina
agreed with us to let the matter drop until
the final result should be known. The secret
proxy marriage was without our knowledge
or consent. Nina has not treated us right.
And oh, these hoi1id papers. To be dragged
before the public, lied about abused, sneered
at for things that we have had no hand